Since the spring of 2010, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been has been shooting continuous photos of the sun, once every 12 seconds in 10 different wavelengths. The results are gorgeous.

The photos, which show our sun exploding with solar flares and coronal mass ejections, track Sol's course up to solar maximum, which is the peak of solar activity in the sun;s 11-year cycle. The video goes at two photos per day over the three year period.

Here's a rundown of some highlights from NASA:

00:30;24 Partial eclipse by the moon

00:31;16 Roll maneuver

01:11;02 August 9, 2011 X6.9 Flare, currently the largest of this solar cycle